Page:The Wreck of a World - Grove - 1890.djvu/165

Rh passed away. But we sent them, and we did rightly; and though on the beach the sobs of the mothers drowned the shouts of the men on the decks of the two noble ships, yet even as the sound of the rising anchor-chain died into silence, there rose alike from beach and deck a mighty cheer which told us that the same stout hearts that bore our forefathers over the Northern sea were to be found among their sons even in this latest day, and that English blood could yet adventure somewhat in the cause of discovery, humanity, and progress.

It is now five years since they set sail, and no sign of them has been given. Some of us think they are wrecked, destroyed, or castaways; while others surmise that they have settled in one of the old countries of Europe and are there raising a new colony. It seems clear that they have found none of the kingdoms of the old world in their former condition, or long ere this some cruiser would have found her way hither to trade or to bring us news of the outer world. But for my part I am that sooner or later we shall have news of our brave sailors, and that one fine morning we shall see the Aurelia and the Roanoke steaming proudly into harbour amid the cheers of a